IMPORTANT UPDATE: The Cheshire West and Chester Council Cabinet met today (13th November 2024) to consider the future of the Shotwick Park Estate.
A report was agreed which will now see, in summary:
The retention of the majority of the land in public ownership
The disposal of two farmsteads, Parkgate House Farm and Shotwick Lodge Farm
A mosaic environmental scheme for the land which will see substantial woodland creation, wildflower planting and new wetland areas.
The full report can be viewed at agenda item 14 at this link: https://cmttpublic.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=983&MId=7221
I was travelling from London on the train this morning and ‘just about’ made this item being considered by the Cabinet but a colleague had started to read out remarks on my behalf. I have repeated them below in full. Additional recommendations were also agreed which will see ongoing public engagement with the community as the project progresses and also utilisation of the expertise of Chester Archaeological Society as the scheme develops.
Comments from Cllr Simon Eardley:
“I am grateful to see this report which is of major significance in my Saughall and Mollington Ward, particularly for the parish of Saughall and Shotwick Park.
In recent years, the debate around the sale of the Shotwick Park Estate has become a divisive issue. I hope with the publication of this report, which I urge Cabinet to agree, that we will now be able to move on positively. I support its recommendations.
I note the positive comments from Shotwick & Shotwick Park Parish Council in response to the paper. In my own thinking on this matter, they have always been – as a democratically elected body of people – a major consideration. Their views matter; albeit that they have evolved over time too. The views of the community generally have been vociferous on both sides of the debate – the report notes this at paragraph 4.2.
Cabinet will know when I addressed you when the original decision was made and expressed support, that my motivation in doing so was essentially two-fold:
To support a project proposal that would potentially deliver significant environmental and ecological benefits for the area, and
To effectively protect and tie up this land from the possibility of future development such as housing, particularly if there was any relaxation in green belt designation or policy.
Those two principles sit at the heart of my viewpoint today.
The green belt is of major significance in this area. It arouses considerable opinion – the overwhelming wish is to protect and enhance it. I believe the paper before you is a pragmatic and thoughtful way in which this can be achieved. It is welcome for the community I represent, especially when we know there is major debate and uncertainty at a national level around national planning policy and the possibility that important greenbelt protections might be relaxed.
I don’t have much time, so forgive the brevity of these points:
- The retention of this land in public ownership should give reassurance to the community around its future and protection. This is important; it was one of the bones of contention. This scheme delivers on this. It means this substantial area of land won't be subject to narrow interests.
- This whole process has caused uncertainty and disruption for a number of current and indeed past tenants. Not all of these tenants are covered by the proposals as they were under the scheme originally agreed by Cabinet. Officers will know I have already expressed my views that supporting and addressing their needs must be of the utmost importance going forward. I am sure Cabinet will agree with this perspective.
- It would be helpful to have a more detailed timetable for project delivery, including around the disposal of the other farmstead assets, Parkgate House Farm and Shotwick Lodge Farm. I know there is some concern from some neighbouring properties about what implications that might have, particularly where there are immediate neighbours to these assets.
- Neighbours to this estate also have concerns and views around the impact of the proposals on their own land, particularly when it comes to drainage matters, such as near the area known as 'North Drive.' These will need to be considered carefully.
- I support the principle of woodland creation in this area – although the report isn’t just about that - proposal is for a mosaic of environmental developments – woodland, wildflower and wetland creation. This diversity is good news but we should also recognise that some people do believe that land such as this should be used on an ongoing basis for agricultural purposes. I respect that perspective.
- The proposal will utilise the ‘Trees for Climate’ programme – one of the most consequential legacy projects on a national scale of the last Conservative government. It will give a solid financial return for the council. That is clearly important too, in the context of wider budget considerations, not least the capital programme you have.
- Cabinet knows I support the environmental principles within the borough plan and I have collaborated with enthusiasm around delivery of Climate Emergency goals. I remain supportive. This scheme will help us deliver on those goals.
- Seeking support from experienced contractors and ongoing expertise is important. The bodies, like the Mersey Forest mentioned in the report, give confidence. We should cast the net wide – we have experts in our borough in wetland science, for example, whom we could call upon.
- The maintenance of – and ideally enhancement and investment in – 'Public Right of Way' space is an important consideration for residents. This is enshrined in the report. It will be good to see this delivered.
There is a wish from the community to have ongoing engagement with the project plan. This is important, as Saughall & Shotwick Park Parish Council have expressed. How this is delivered needs to be considered carefully. It may be that an ‘independent body’ is the best means to achieve this; one that is able to draw in wide viewpoints and not run the risk of being driven in a particular direction. I think Cabinet might wish to consider this in more detail and I would welcome further engagement on the matter and involvement too.
In conclusion, I would thank the Cabinet and officers for such a comprehensive report. The Amion document is excellent reading and very thorough. It covers multiple aspects in detail and outlines significant ways in which a positive scheme can now be delivered in this area.
I hope it might be an exemplar project. I trust Cabinet will agree to it today."
**Additional comments:
There is also a significant Scheduled Ancient Monument in the area, Shotwick Castle. It is located on one of the very pleasant public right of way routes.
May I draw your attention to the views of Chester Archaeological Society which are relevant in this context. They are on record as welcoming the creation of woodland, hedgerows, field ponds etc as part of attempts to reduce and mitigate the impacts of climate change and create recreational opportunities. However, they have also commented on the potential for such schemes to adversely affect fragile rural archaeological remains.
As such, they submitted comments in March 2023 on a proposed scheme of ponds and scrapes in this area and expressed concern about potential impacts on the landscape of Shotwick Castle. The report makes passing reference to this site.
Please can assurances be given that if new planting and habitat-creation schemes go ahead, proper consideration will be given to the potential impact on archaeology and also consideration for how archaeology and the public recreational benefits of heritage that arise from a site such as this.
